Fishing reports
19070 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Hawaii's summer pelagic bite holds steady under a gibbous moon
With the moon waxing toward full this week and water temperatures sitting in their typical mid-summer range for the islands, conditions favor the offshore pelagic bite Hawaii is known for this time of year. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for Hawaiian waters this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds included a captain, shop, or blog report specific to the islands, so this update leans on typical seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. Ahi (yellowfin tuna), mahimahi, and ono (wahoo) are the standard summer targets around Hawaii's offshore grounds, with ulua remaining a dependable inshore/nearshore option along rocky points and channels. Anglers should treat species status here as a seasonal baseline rather than a confirmed hot bite until local reports come in. Check current buoy data and local shop reports before planning a trip, since this cycle's data pull didn't surface island-specific conditions.
Snook Rebound in the St. Lucie Inlet as Dredging Pause Pays Off
Snook Nook's July report out of Stuart shows the St. Lucie Inlet snook bite rebounding now that the area dredging project has paused, with side-scan marking large schools around the detached jetty and Hole in the Wall; live croakers and pilchards are drawing the bites. Sport Fishing Mag's mutton snapper feature confirms the same live-chumming pattern is holding around Biscayne Bay's channels. Reader catches shared through Coastal Angler Magazine back it up: a mangrove snapper out of Venice and a mutton snapper taken on cut bonito off Dania Beach. Tarpon remain a headline target too, with Sport Fishing Mag's Islamorada feature marking the season's storied bridge fishery. The bigger story for FL Atlantic anglers is regulatory: CCA Florida reports a federal court injunction just blocked the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper pilot season only hours before it was set to open, so check current regulations before targeting that species.
Louisiana marsh reds and trout dial in as summer heat holds
No buoy or gauge readings came through for the Gulf Coast and Delta this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't surface any captain, shop, or state-agency report specific to Louisiana's saltwater marshes — worth flagging rather than papering over with guesses. What we can offer is grounded in typical late-July Gulf Coast patterns: redfish and speckled trout activity in Louisiana's marsh systems usually holds up through summer heat but shifts toward dawn, dusk, and moving-tide windows as surface temps climb, with reds pushing onto grass flats early and trout working deeper pockets and current breaks once the sun gets high. Flounder and black drum stay catchable on bait and lighter leaders through the season. Louisiana Sportsman's July 25 update shows anglers around the state still working soft plastics hard on the freshwater side, a sign the overall statewide bite hasn't gone quiet, even though that particular report centers on bass rather than saltwater species. Check tides and a current local report before you run.
CT bass anglers shift deep as summer heat settles over inland waters
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for Connecticut's inland waters this cycle, so this report leans on regional freshwater intel and general seasonal knowledge for late July. Statewide, largemouth and smallmouth bass are typically pushing off primary structure into deeper, cooler water as surface temps peak, a pattern echoed in this week's The Fisherman — New England Freshwater roundup, where nearby Massachusetts pond and lake reports describe largemouth relating to lily pads and deep structure rather than open shallows, with better bass action tied to concentrating on deeper cover. Stocked trout typically go quiet through late July as inland streams and shallow lake layers warm past their comfort range, pushing fish toward deeper, spring-fed pockets or requiring early-morning efforts. Panfish stay a reliable, easy bite off docks and weed edges all summer. Bring your own thermometer — without fresh gauge data, on-the-water temp checks matter more than usual this week for pattern selection statewide.
Striper push edges toward Maine as eel bite holds after dark
No ME buoy or gauge readings came back this cycle, so this report leans on regional angler intel from the Gulf of Maine's southern edge. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, Surfland Bait and Tackle noted the striper bite improving north of the shop, with surfcasters from Salisbury up to Seabrook, NH — just south of the Maine line — finding consistent catches on eels, plugs, and plastics after dark. Belsan's Bait and Tackle reported a fresh push of bass into Scituate waters up to the high 40-inch class, with live eels the clear best bet once the sun goes down. Offshore, The Fisherman (Northeast)'s New England Video Fishing Forecast described bluefin as scattered, with rec-sized fish a challenge to find this week. Beauport Fishing Adventures sat out due to weather but has groundfish trips planned through the fall. Expect the northward bass push to keep building as summer holds.
Cape Cod Stripers Hold as Buzzards Bay Water Peaks
Buzzards Bay water temperatures have peaked with the summer heat, and per On The Water's August outlook, that could mean slim pickings this month for anglers specifically targeting stripers in the bay itself. The wider Cape Cod and Islands grounds are holding up better, though: Black Rose Fishing Charters reports stripers in the 30- to 40-pound class still coming from the rips around Nantucket Sound, and Falmouth Bait and Tackle describes solid activity on the Vineyard Sound side of the Cape. Sports Port adds that schoolie-to-slot stripers remain active along the sound shore, harbors, and jetties of Bass River and Cotuit, with fluke mixed in (mostly shorts, some keepers) and a few 20-inch bluefish in the rotation. Regionally, The Fisherman (Northeast)'s New England forecast notes a strong uptick in sea bass action this week. Expect a warm-water, low-light bite pattern to dominate through the stretch.
Illinois anglers lean on sonar and weedlines as summer peaks
No buoy or gauge readings came in for the Illinois River or Lake Michigan this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up on-the-water reports specific to Illinois waters either. What we do have is regional technique chatter from Fishing the Midwest, whose writers cover walleye and bass fishing across the upper Midwest: Bob Jensen notes the open-water season is in full swing and points anglers toward weedlines as a go-to summer move, while Mike Frisch writes that walleye are increasingly being located off traditional bottom structure with forward-facing sonar rather than the classic points-and-breaklines approach. Neither piece names an Illinois lake or stretch of river, so treat these as general seasonal technique pointers rather than confirmed local bite reports. For late July on the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, expect typical warm-water patterns: walleye and smallmouth holding on deeper structure by day, largemouth working shallower cover and weed edges early and late.
Summer bass patterns take hold on the Catawba and Roanoke
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for the Catawba and Roanoke systems today, so this update leans on the summer freshwater pattern anglers nationally are dialing in on right now. Tactical Bassin (blog) has been pushing overlooked deep-water and dropshot patterns as summer bass slide off classic shallow cover, while Fishing the Midwest and Wired 2 Fish both note that late-July heat pushes largemouth and smallmouth toward deeper structure and forces anglers to cover more water to find groups of fish. On piedmont and coastal-plain rivers like the Catawba and Roanoke, that typically translates to a tighter dawn-and-dusk topwater window for bass, with channel and blue catfish sliding into their usual after-dark, current-seam pattern as daytime heat peaks. Worth a regional note: Bassmaster Elite pro Shane LeHew, a Catawba, N.C. native, is fighting to keep his Classic-qualifying streak alive this season, per B.A.S.S. News.
Potomac and Patapsco bass and snakehead settle into summer pattern
No fresh buoy, gauge, or region-specific angler reports came back for the Potomac or Patapsco this cycle, so this update leans on typical late-July freshwater patterns for the area rather than fabricated field intel. Late summer on tidal-freshwater stretches of the Potomac and the Patapsco's freshwater sections typically means largemouth bass sliding into classic summer positioning: grass edges and current breaks early and late in the day, deeper thermocline structure or shade during peak heat. Upper Potomac smallmouth generally hold on rocky shoals and ledges in faster current. Northern snakehead, a signature Potomac species, are commonly found working shallow vegetation and lily pads on warm mornings. Channel catfish activity typically shifts toward overnight and low-light hours as surface water warms. Water clarity and flow should be checked locally before heading out, since no current USGS or NOAA readings were available for this report. Always check Maryland DNR regulations before harvesting any species this time of year.
Dawn and dusk become the play as summer heat settles over NM trout water
Caddis Fly (OR)'s July repost of Trout Unlimited's piece on trout being cold-blooded, with body temperature tracking the water around them, is the operative note for New Mexico's Rio Grande and San Juan corridor this week. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so treat water temperature and flow as unknowns until you check current Navajo Dam release data and Rio Grande gauge levels before heading out. West-wide drought and heat have already forced closures on comparable Rocky Mountain trout rivers this season, per Flylords Mag, a reminder of how sensitive these fisheries get in peak summer. Expect activity concentrated in the cooler low-light windows, early morning and last light, with the midday stretch better spent on technique than mileage. Hatch Magazine's notes on properly leading a rising trout and Gink and Gasoline's picky-tailwater nymphing approach both translate directly to San Juan-style technical water right now.
Lake Ontario salmon stage offshore ahead of the tributary push
Salmon fishing has been very good over the past week out on the open lake, per Strike Zone Charters (Lake Ontario), with browns and lake trout mixed in alongside kings — fish are holding in the 100 to 160-foot range, though the exact depth shifts day to day as wind pushes the thermocline around. The charter reports Mag Dipsey Divers producing when fish sit deeper, with green, white and chartreuse e-chip attractors paired with Atomic-series spoons/flies drawing strikes. That's open-lake trolling water, not river water, but it's the clearest read we have today: no NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data came back for the Salmon River or Oswego corridor this cycle, so treat this as a staging-fish signal rather than a tributary-specific report. For Salmon River and Oswego regulars, the takeaway is that fish are present and biting offshore now, with the river push still to come as the season progresses. Check local forecast before heading out, and confirm exact tributary flow conditions locally before making the drive.
Ozark smallmouth hold a steady summer pattern as rivers run low and clear
With no NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings available for the Missouri & Ozark Rivers region this cycle, this update leans on typical late-July conditions for the area: low, clear flows on float streams like the ones anglers chase across the Ozark Plateau, and warm surface temps that push smallmouth and largemouth into dawn and dusk feeding windows. None of today's angler-intel feeds carried a Missouri- or Ozark-specific report, so no source-attributed bite is being claimed here, in keeping with typical mid-summer conditions rather than any confirmed local catch. Rainbow trout in the state's spring-fed trout parks and tailwaters typically stay more consistently active through summer heat thanks to stable, cool water. Channel catfish generally pick up after dark as daytime heat settles. Anglers should treat today's species notes as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed hot bite until a local shop or agency report comes through. Check current state regulations before harvesting, especially in trout-park and special-management waters.
Western Slope freestones drop low and clear as CPW closures kick in
Colorado's western-slope rivers are running thin and warm this week. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) reports the Roaring Fork at just 113 cfs at Aspen's Jaffe Park (242 cfs at Basalt, 410 cfs at Glenwood Springs), the Crystal River at 107 cfs near Redstone, and the Colorado River holding near 2,000 cfs at Glenwood Springs. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has responded with voluntary closures on multiple stretches per those same shop reports: a daily noon-to-midnight closure on the Roaring Fork below Carbondale, a full-day closure on the lower Crystal River, and a full-day closure on the Colorado River through Rifle. The one bright spot is the Frying Pan below Ruedi Reservoir, where dam-release water stays in the 40s year-round and afternoon PMD, BWO, and Green Drake hatches keep fish looking up, per Crystal Fly Shop. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO) frames the bigger picture: 2026 is shaping up as one of the driest years on record statewide.
Taneycomo trout rebound as generation eases
Trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo has improved over the last couple of weeks, even with heavy afternoon and evening power-generation flows, per Lilleys Landing's July 4 report. That's a shift from June, when the shop described mostly heavy generation driven by well-needed but disruptive rain, making bank and dock fishing tough for most anglers. With those rains subsided, Lilleys Landing expects July to bring more no-generation periods, especially mornings, which should open up wading and light-tackle water below the dam. Table Rock itself has no fresh intel this cycle, so we're leaning on typical late-July patterns there. No live buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so treat generation timing and water clarity as fluid day to day. Anglers heading to Taneycomo should still plan around the dam's release schedule rather than a fixed forecast, and check current generation status before launching or wading in.
Merrimack Smallmouths Wake Up in the Manchester-to-Hooksett Stretch
Smallmouth bass are cooperating in the Manchester-to-Hooksett, New Hampshire portion of the Merrimack River, with better action there than downstream in the Lawrence-to-North Andover stretch, according to this week's New England Freshwater roundup from The Fisherman. Reporter Roger Aziz Jr. noted bronzebacks coming from that NH section while acknowledging the bite has been patchier further south. No direct reports came in from Lake Winnipesaukee this week, but the lake typically settles into a classic mid-summer pattern by late July: bass and panfish shallow early and late, lake trout and salmon pushing deep as surface temps climb. With no buoy or gauge telemetry available for this update, anglers should lean on the Merrimack smallmouth bite as the one confirmed bright spot and treat Winnipesaukee expectations as seasonal norms rather than fresh intel until a local report surfaces.
Tennessee River system stays in the summer bass spotlight
Direct buoy and gauge readings for the Chickamauga/Watts Bar stretch of the Tennessee River weren't available this cycle, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds filed a report specifically from these reservoirs. The clearest regional signal came from elsewhere on the Tennessee River system: B.A.S.S. News covered the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Championship wrapping up on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tenn., a reminder that river-chain reservoirs are fishing well enough to host high-level competition in late July. For technique, Tactical Bassin's midsummer coverage of dropshotting, jig-and-minnow strolling, and working deep structure lines up with the classic ledge/thermocline pattern these TVA lakes typically see this time of year, and Fishing the Midwest's notes on forward-facing sonar changing how anglers locate schooled fish apply broadly to deep summer bass and hybrid striper fishing. Treat species calls below as seasonal defaults rather than confirmed local bites until a Chickamauga- or Watts Bar-specific report comes in.
Summer bass tactics carry over as White River trout hold steady
With no fresh buoy or gauge readings in hand for the White River system this week, we're leaning on national trends that translate directly to Arkansas water. Tactical Bassin (blog) has been pushing dropshot and jig-and-minnow "strolling" presentations as the go-to for summer bass, noting these techniques peak specifically in the summer heat, a pattern that fits Beaver, Bull Shoals, and Norfork's smallmouth and largemouth just as well as anywhere else. Fishing the Midwest likewise flags weedline fishing and versatility, trying new techniques and target species, as the differentiator for anglers still catching fish through the dog days. Tailwater trout below the dams should stay a steadier bite than reservoir bass through the hottest afternoon hours, typical for late July, though we don't have a direct regional report confirming today's exact conditions. Check current generation schedules before planning a trip.
Delta stripers and bass settle into a typical summer pattern
Direct Delta-specific reports were sparse in today's sweep, and no fresh USGS gauge or buoy readings came through for the Sacramento-San Joaquin system, so this update leans on what's typical for the Delta in late July. Striped bass remain the marquee target this time of year, generally pushing into low-light and moving-water periods as afternoon heat pushes fish off the flats and into deeper channels and current breaks. Largemouth bass follow a classic summer pattern as well, tucking tight to weedlines, tule edges, and deeper structure once the sun climbs, then sliding shallower to feed in the early morning and evening. Channel catfish typically stay dependable through the warm-water stretch, feeding well after dark on cut bait. Expect warm, often stained water and moderate current this week. Without confirmed water-temp or flow data in hand, treat the above as a general seasonal baseline rather than today's exact bite, and check current conditions before heading out.
South Fork trout keep to dawn hours as Idaho summer heat builds
No fresh buoy or gauge reading came in for the Snake River/South Fork corridor this cycle, so treat flows and temps as unconfirmed until you check a local gauge yourself. The bigger Idaho headline this month is Wired 2 Fish's report of angler Tim Hicks landing a 49.75-inch northern pike on Lake Pend Oreille, a new catch-and-release state record, a reminder the state's fisheries are getting attention this summer even though that catch came from the panhandle, not the South Fork. For the trout water here, the operative story is heat: Caddis Fly (OR), citing a Trout Unlimited piece this July, notes trout are cold-blooded and their metabolism and stress load track water temperature directly, arguing for fishing early and handling fish gently as afternoons warm. Regionally, Flylords Mag has flagged drought and heat pushing nearby Rocky Mountain rivers toward hoot-owl-style afternoon closures, worth checking before you head out. Cutthroat and rainbows should still eat well on hoppers in the cooler hours.
Weedlines and FFS keep walleyes biting as Superior trout hold steady
Minnesota DNR's Lake Superior Summer Fishing report describes a steady Lake Trout bite for 18 to 30 inch fish along the North Shore this week, even as wind-driven upwelling pushed surface temps as low as 41°F in spots while offshore water ran up to 60°F; wildfire smoke advisories have also been limiting visibility on the lake. Inland, the North Woods and Twin Cities walleye and bass scene is leaning on technique rather than a single hot spot: Fishing the Midwest points to anglers working weedlines with moving baits as largemouth hold in emerging weed growth, and notes forward-facing sonar keeps reshaping where anglers find summer walleyes off classic structure. AnglingBuzz's latest coverage out of Brainerd recommends jigging raps and search baits for giant walleyes, and revisits smallmouth baits that still produce this time of year. Wind and smoke remain the wildcards to watch.
Red snapper season shift puts MS Sound anglers on alert
The clearest signal out of the Mississippi Sound this cycle isn't a bite report, it's regulatory: per MS DMR, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed moving the recreational red snapper for-hire season start date from June 1 to the Friday before Memorial Day, a change worth tracking if you book charters out of the Sound. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through this cycle, so we don't have a fresh water temp or wave reading to share, and none of today's angler-intel feeds carried a direct Mississippi Sound catch report. That leaves us leaning on typical late-July patterns for the region: warm, stable Gulf-influenced water usually keeps speckled trout, redfish, and nearshore red snapper in play, with the bite generally best in the cooler hours around sunrise. Check local forecast and tide tables before heading out.
Redfish and snapper action holds steady in Mobile Bay this week
Salt Strong's latest redfish breakdown offers the sharpest read available this week: skittish, shallow fish in calm water respond best to slow-moving, low-commotion lures rather than aggressive retrieves — a tactic that translates well to Mobile Bay's grass flats, marsh edges, and back-bay shallows as summer heat pushes fish into skinny water during low-light hours. Direct Alabama-specific reports were thin in this cycle's intel sweep, so we're leaning on regional Gulf patterns and seasonal norms: speckled trout should still be working deeper grass edges and channel drop-offs as midday temperatures climb, and red snapper remain a viable target on nearshore structure during the open summer season, though anglers should confirm current federal and state regulations before keeping fish. Flounder tend to slow down in peak summer heat and are worth targeting early or late in the day. Expect the waxing gibbous moon to sharpen dawn and nighttime bites through the weekend.
Salmon push builds north of the Central Coast as anglers wait on the bite
No buoy or gauge readings logged for the Central Coast this cycle, so this update leans on regional angler intel rather than a local temp or flow reading. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports salmon fishing has been "nothing short of spectacular" below Point Arena, with Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters putting clients on ocean Chinook whenever wind allows boats out of San Francisco. To the south, the outlet's Channel Islands Shootout out of Ventura crowned just one winning lingcod all tournament, landed by Larry Johnson, a sign lingcod have been tough to scratch out this stretch. A separate Western Outdoor News reader report has an Avalon-based bluefin bite (Capt. Chuck Newberry, Seadawg Sportfishing) running hot to the south, hinting warm-water species are working up the coast. We're treating both as bracketing signal for the Central Coast rather than site-specific reports until closer intel comes in.
Bluefin arrive off Avalon as SoCal surf bite stirs to life
A 330-pound bluefin tuna came aboard off Avalon this week, landed by young anglers on their first trip of the season aboard Capt. Chuck Newberry's 37-foot Wahooson, per a reader report in Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. The captain called it a late start after weeks of hearing 'the bite's on' from other boats, but the fish are clearly here now. Lingcod fishing stayed tougher: the 2026 Western Outdoor News Channel Islands Shootout out of Ventura crowned its winner off a single lingcod boated during the whole tournament, a sign the bottom bite remains selective around the islands. Along the beaches, Surf Fishing in So Cal's July report notes the surf has finally calmed from a rough June and spotfin croaker and corbina are showing 'signs of life' after a slow start. Shore anglers targeting sharks or white seabass should also note California's emergency wire leader and hook-size restrictions are now enforced within 1,000 yards of the coast south of Pigeon Point.